Zepim Mechanism of Action

Pharmacology: Pharmacokinetics: The average plasma concentrations of cefepime observed in healthy adult male volunteers at various times following single 30 minute infusion (IV) of cefepime 500 mg and 1 g are summarized as: (See Table 1.)

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Absorption: Following intramuscular (IM) administration, cefepime is completely absorbed. The average plasma concentrations of cefepime at various times following a single IM injection are summarized as: (See Table 2.)

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Distribution: The average steady state volume of distribution of cefepime is 18.0 (±2.0) L. The protein binding of cefepime is approximately 20%.
Average concentrations of cefepime in specific body fluids (mcg/mL) and in specific tissues (mcg/g). (See Table 3.)

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Metabolism and Excretion: Cefepime is metabolized to N-methylpyrrolidine (NMP) which is rapidly converted to the N-oxide (NMP-N-oxide). Urinary recovery of unchanged cefepime accounts for approximately 85% of the administered dose. Less than 1% of the administered dose is recovered from urine as NMP, 6.8% as NMP-N-oxide and 2.5% as an epimer of cefepime. Since renal excretion is a significant pathway of elimination, patients with renal dysfunction and patients undergoing hemodialysis require dosage adjustment.